NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)
Country music star Morgan Wallen has denied allegations that he threw a chair off the roof of a Nashville bar during a late-night incident leading to his 2024 arrest. Police video released under a public records request depicts Wallen reacting to the arrest, with statements expressing disbelief over the charges of reckless endangerment.
Wallen expressed remorse on social media shortly after his arrest, stating, I’m not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility, alongside a promise of making amends with Nashville law enforcement. Following a plea agreement in December 2024, he admitted guilt to two counts related to the incident.
The released footage from multiple police body and cruiser cameras illustrates Wallen's interactions with officers, showcasing his insistence on his innocence. During the incident, a broken chair was found on the street near a police cruiser as officers began their investigation.
Police Interaction
Body camera footage reveals officers discussing the fallen chair while engaging with Wallen and his entourage. His bodyguard loudly challenged the officers, asserting that there were no witnesses.
Amid a tense atmosphere, Wallen maintained his innocence, bewildered by police actions: I don’t know what happened. At one point, he even attempted to phone fellow artist Eric Church, co-owner of the bar, for assistance.
Eventually, following witness testimonies and police accounts of a security video, officers cuffed Wallen, escalating a situation that began as mere curiosity into a legal issue.
Legal Ramifications
In court, Wallen admitted to creating chaos without intending harm, but police reports indicated that footage may have contradicted his statements. Throughout the lengthy interaction with law enforcement, Wallen acknowledged his sorry behavior numerous times, although without direct admissions of guilt about the chair incident.
By December 2024, Wallen was formally charged and sentenced to a mixture of community service and monitoring. His upcoming bar, situated conveniently near the location of the incident, has sparked public debate regarding his conduct and overall accountability.
Fans have expressed mixed feelings about Wallen, reflecting on his chart-topping tracks while underlining the controversies that seem to shadow his public persona. Following one of his latest albums, which broke records in the country music genre, the artist remains a contentious figure on the music scene.
